Commissioner Bob Conley had those attending this morning's county commissioners meeting observe a moment of silence for Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jeff Shaw.
When the commissioners got to the business on their agenda, they heard from Emergency Management Director Ed Rock who said the state has awarded $680,000 of grant money for the building of a 800-megahertz communication system for the county and surrounding areas.This is a continuation of a grant received in 2008.
The commissioners also heard a poor relief hearing from Kelly Newsome who was being represented by her sister, Kathleen Newsome.
Newsome was seeking assistance for funeral costs after having lost the second of two sons in several months. The request was for $750.
Aime Hoffman, Seward Township Trustee, said she had not yet received an application from Newsome.
The commissioners asked and Hoffman agreed that despite the application coming in after the funeral, if everything was in order she'd approve the $750 payment.
Commissioner Ron Truex said he would contact all the area funeral homes to make sure that, in cases of poor relief, they needed to be more proactive in providing pertinent information.
The commissioners heard from County Highway Superintendent Dennis Pletcher who said that while he was aware of the county's hiring freeze, his department is short handed.
The commissioners said they would look into contracting help as opposed to hiring full-time help.
Jim Bealer, John Davis, Jerry Black and Greg Raun were appointed to a board that will be designed to improve efficiency and gather ideas.
John Castle, Syracuse/Turkey Creek Township Public Library, asked for approval to have the commissioners' signatures after a grant application is completed Dec. 1. The application is due Dec. 7.
At the conclusion of this morning's meeting, Pletcher, along with town attorney Mike Miner, opened bids for 2010 supplies for the county highway department.
Conley also notified the media that a census media day was rescheduled due to the funeral of Shaw.
